more keen

USAGE SUMMARY

"more keen" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing someone or something's level of enthusiasm, eagerness, or interest. For example: "Bob is more keen to learn about the new software than his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who was more keen?

The Guardian - Music

I'm as keen if not more keen!

The Guardian - Music

Some disciplines are more keen than others.

Nature

This time, Khan is more keen.

The Guardian

"That just made me even more keen," she said.

The New York Times

More keen on Peaky, perhaps, than Peaky was on him.

The Guardian - Film

And they're more keen on print than ever before.

The Guardian - Arts

Others were more keen to share the love.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was more keen on serving the community than money.

The Guardian

Pandora's Minister of Sound is more keen on Grace Jones than Joe McElderry.

Independent

The British are sparkier and more "keen to learn" than American pupils, he says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more keen" to directly compare levels of enthusiasm or interest between two subjects or options. It's most effective when highlighting a preference or stronger inclination.

Common error

While "more keen" is widely accepted, be mindful of your audience. In highly formal or academic writing, consider using synonyms like "more inclined" or "more disposed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more keen" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate a greater degree of enthusiasm, eagerness, or interest when comparing two or more subjects. This is supported by Ludwig and the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"More keen" is a comparative phrase used to express a higher degree of enthusiasm or interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's wise to consider the formality of your audience and choose more formal synonyms like "more inclined" in academic or business settings. When using "more keen", ensure you're directly comparing levels of interest to highlight a preference or stronger inclination. The phrase is widely supported by authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing comparative enthusiasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more enthusiastic

Emphasizes excitement and positive feeling, rather than just willingness.

more eager

Highlights anticipation and impatience for something to happen.

more interested

Focuses on a stronger level of curiosity or concern.

more inclined

Indicates a greater tendency or disposition towards something.

more willing

Stresses a greater readiness or agreement to do something.

more disposed

Implies a natural preference or tendency.

more favorably inclined

Adds a sense of approval or positive regard.

more favorably disposed

Highlights a more positive and agreeable attitude.

increasingly enthusiastic

Indicates growing excitement or passion.

increasingly eager

Suggests a growing impatience and anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "more keen" in a sentence?

You can use "more keen" to compare levels of interest or enthusiasm, such as "She was "more keen" on the project than I was".

What are some alternatives to "more keen"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "more eager", "more enthusiastic", or "more interested" as alternatives to "more keen".

Is it always appropriate to use "more keen" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "more keen" might be considered less formal than alternatives like "more inclined" or "more disposed", especially in academic or business contexts.

What's the difference between "more keen" and "more avid"?

"More keen" suggests a general enthusiasm or interest, while "more avid" implies a passionate or intense eagerness. The choice depends on the degree of enthusiasm you want to convey.